Don’t be hideoteous
Don’t be hideoteous. You have to remember that women are sensitive beings, and they deserve the best. Specially if that women is a powerful witch who suffered an horrendible treatment all her life. You have to make her feel comfortable if you want them to get the chance to know you. One common mistake is to be a little too much on the stalker side: being too familiar with the girl and too clingy. I know it’s kind of difficult to do it, but you have to control yourself for now. You have to give girls space. If you stalk them and cling too much, specially if she has a book with her, she’ll feel harassed and she will start to push you away.
Galinda's dealings with Elphaba were slowly beginning to change. She felt that the effort she was putting in to win her over was beginning to yield certain results: when they were in class, they quarrel, but in an intellectual way. Galinda no longer gave her horrendible nicknames as before, but addressed her as Miss Elphaba in an overbearing tone; meanwhile, Elphaba lashed out at all the questions and points of view that the blonde proposed with amusement (or so Galinda noticed).
During lunch and dinner, everyone was in their own world. While Galinda was with her so-called friends Pfannee and ShenShen, Elphaba was with her sister Nessarosse. During meals were the only times when the two seemed to be in some sort of intellectual truce.
In the shared bedroom, on the other hand, what Galinda called “Operation Elphie” was going on. When she would get up for her skincare routine, she would notice that Elphaba was out on the balcony reading early in the morning.
Quietly, Galinda set about making a cup of tea the way her roommate liked it: herbal tea with a pinch of honey and mint. Without a word, she would walk over to her and set the cup down beside her. The first time she did that, Elphaba looked at her accusingly.
“This is poisoned isn't it?” she asked full of skepticism.
“If you don't want it, I can take it.” She said pretending as if she didn't care, when inside she was dying of nerves.
After a few moments, which for the blonde were eternal, the emerald witch took a sip.
“It's edible.” She admitted, as she took another sip and returned back to her reading.
Taking advantage of being distracted again, she scented Elphaba's pillow with her favorite perfume, then put it on herself. That was a ritual her granny had taught her to attract any man she wanted if he played hard to get. She didn't know if it worked the same on a woman, but it didn't hurt to try, right?
At night, when they were both getting ready for bed, Galinda would find any excuse to touch Elphaba's face, neck or shoulders. From offering her massages because she “looked tense” to passing body oils to “moisturize her skin,” Galinda would manage to touch her in one way or another. At first, Elphaba was reluctant and fled at the slightest rash touch. But, patiently and gradually, the emerald witch became comfortable with the new treatment she was receiving from her roommate.
On one of those nights when Galinda was giving Elphaba massages, the older of the two asked something Galinda didn't expect to hear.
“Why are you doing this?”
“What do you mean, Miss Elphaba?” Galinda asked innocently as she massaged her shoulders.
“This. Suddenly, you're treating me with care in private, and even the nicknames stopped.” After looking hesitant for a few moments, she added, “Not that I don't dislike this, but I can't help thinking that, perhaps, there's something behind it all...”
Galinda paused for a few moments, fully considering how to approach this situation. If she was honest with Elphie and went with her impulses, her plan was going to fail. So, after a few seconds that seemed like forever, she responded as she resumed with the massages.
“Remember when you went looking for me the other night, when I was analyzing the walls in the hallway?”
“How could I forget, your way of doing that was..... unique.” Elphaba commented teasingly.
“Well... The words you said at the time left me thinking.”
“You think!” She laughed out loud, receiving a friendly smack from the blonde.
“That's not the point. We're not friends, but what we have... I like it, and a lot.” Swallowing dryly, she began to faintly massage the back of Elphaba's neck making gentle, circular motions with her thumbs. “It's fun debating with you, and remembering how we treated each other during first year.... I don't want that. Not anymore.”
“And that's why you decided on treating me well? To get some of your guilt out and thus lighten the load behind your shoulders?” she asked accusingly, which Galinda made her alert.
“No, that's not it!” she tried to defend herself, and cleared her throat ”Look. What I want to try to say is.... I'm sorry okay? Lately I've been feeling the memories of our first year haunting me, and the truth... I want you to know that... I didn't loathe you in the least.”
Elphaba remained seated in her place. She was not saying a word, so Galinda took this as an opportunity to continue.
“All that time...I was jealous. Jealous of your magical power, that you were at Madame Morrible's magic seminar and I wasn't. And I couldn't stand it. But now...” Swallowing dryly, she stopped massaging the back of Elphaba's neck and let her hands rest on her greenish shoulders. “Now I realize all the bad things I've done, and I want to reverse them.”
Suddenly, Galinda turned away from her roommate, only to stand in front of her and look her straight in the eye.
“Elphaba Thropp. would you give me one more chance so we can be close? I want to make things right, and I wish you to feel comfortable around me.”
Elphaba stood looking into her eyes, as if searching for some hint of falsehood. Instead, Galinda was making the superhuman effort not to pounce and kiss her again and again.”
“All right.” She whispered in an almost inaudible whisper, which Galinda beamed.
“Oh, Elphie!” unable to contain herself, she caught her roommate in a hug ”You don't know how happy you make me!” Realizing of how she called her, she pulled away barely but without letting go of the embrance “Can I call you Elphie?”
“You already have, other than that it's kind of perky.-”
“Then it's settled!” She declared as she hugged her again.
That night, Galinda felt she could officially get started with the preliminary preparations for her courtship of Elphie.
It won't be long now, my Elphie. Soon, you will be mine and everyone will know it. Especially Fiyero.